Q&A with Raheaven

North London babe Raheaven stormed onto the UK music scene back in August with the unapologetic, empowering anthem 7AM. Fast forward a few months and she was back with another break up bop 2Personal, and we now have been blessed with her debut EP, which shares the title of her second single, 2Personal. A 4 track EP following the ups and downs of navigating relationships as a young woman, showcasing vulnerability and empowerment in equal measures. We got the lowdown from Raheaven about her career so far, her creative outlets and her inspirations for the EP.

Being from a British-Eritrean background, how do you think both cultures influenced the music you produce today?
The scales I naturally draw to singing are inspired by my Eritrean music like (the pentatonic scale) and I grew up listening to Eritrean pop stars but also British ones. Also I don’t think there is a clear cultural representation of these two cultures in music, unlike the Caribbean or West African diaspora in the UK, so I feel lucky to be one of the first to define it and represent it myself.

 We know your parents formed an Eritrean band with your dad on guitar and your mum on vocals. What made you take the decision to pursue music as a solo artist rather than another band outfit?
I’ve never thought of being in a band, I just never imagined things that way. There are too many things I want to explore musically as an individual and I think a band setting would slow that down. I don't even know how my parents did that, surprised they weren’t at each other's necks. 

2Personal is about relationships, do you think having a creative outlet has helped you process these sometimes difficult situations and take control?
1000%, I can make sense of how I feel through music. 2Personal is like that for me. I feel like I laid out some of the things I needed to say and tried to make it sound pretty.

Your music is heavily influenced by your personal experiences, what else inspires and influences your music?
Other artists, conversations, I also do tarot. That helps me a lot and helps me write music. Each card represents such specific feelings which helps me get specific in how I feel, or what I should remember, and helps in my writing and ideas. I also try to think about where I want to listen to music too, like on the beach or in the club (I LOVE 2 PARTY), driving at night or in the morning.

Your inspiration comes from all different things and experiences, which shows in your music but also in your sense of style, who are your biggest fashion idols?
I love Kelis, Nicki Minaj, Gwen Stefani & Rihanna because she's the queen of a switch up. I like to dress how my 9 year old self imagined the older version of me to look. 9 year old Raheaven is making the decisions here and I'm the bratz doll in my doll house.

How did you develop such a unique style both musically and in fashion? Have you always gone against the grain or has your creative process been one of trial and error?
I have always tried different things with my hair, makeup,clothes, music I listen to and I'm grateful to have always had friends that never ridiculed me or made me feel uncomfortable for expressing myself. I definitely have different pockets and things I like to mess with. From ghetto goth witch to bando princess to eritrean princess. I think being the only girl out of my siblings gave me that freedom at home too. Musically and in fashion I think I'm just a product of all the experiences I've walked through. I think life is trial and error so it’s definitely that.

You've been described as the love-child of Adele and Cardi-B and you can see this in the juxtaposition of vulnerability and empowerment in 2Personal and 7AM. Was it difficult to harness these opposing emotions to create your music, exposing your more vulnerable and private side?
Omg who said that!! Im flattered. It’s weird how people reserve bad b*tch energy for the female rappers only. Everyone who sings is expected to be sad and sentimental all the time. Cardi B's energy isn’t really carried by singers. It's not difficult for me to translate that into melody and vocals, because sometimes I really do feel like that, like in ‘7AM’ but I know it's not what people expect to hear from voices like mine. I don’t know why people expect women to be one way. I can be vulnerable, soft, empowering and also talk my sh*t.

 We love the EP and can't wait to hear and see more of your unique style, what can we expect from Raheaven in the future?
I'm manifesting that this mouth is going to make me a couple million. More music, more fun, I suggest everyone gets comfortable because I'm not going anywhere xx

Article written by Phoebe Patrick

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